Rocking device



Jan. 5, 1954 J, [1 LEE 2,664,575

ROCKING DEVICE Filed Sept. 5, 1950 INVENTOR,

Jas on Dqz/ fif Lee Patented Jan. 5, 1954 ROCKING DEVICE Jason Dwight Lee, Salem, Oreg.

Application September 5, 1950, Serial No. 183,274

3 Claims. (Cl. 5 -109) This invention relates to an automatic rocking device which is suspended, by means of a mounting hook, from the side of a baby crib or the like to simulate rocking movements and, thus, to quiet a child and induce quiet and sleep.

One object of my invention is to provide a rocking device wherein an unbalanced wheel carries an adjustable eccentric mass for inducing rocker-like vibrations in a crib or carriage as the unbalanced wheel rotates at a uniform velocity.

One conventional baby rocker is a motor-actuated eccentric mechanism made integral with or bearing on a cradle or crib or geared to a system of tracks in which a baby carriage rides. As the eccentric mechanism changes the rotation, which is derived from the motor, to an oscillating movement, the latter is impressed upon the crib or tracks by means of a cam, rack and pinion, or similar system. ihus, an elaborate transmission or gear train is required and the cost thereof is reflected in the ultimate purchase price. I have become dissatisfied with these cumbersome and expensive mechanisms and, accordingly, have directed my inventive efforts toward the provision of a more simple, inexpensive, baby rocker which can be sold within the price range available to most young parents. Such a rocker should possess a functionalism commensurate with the problems encountered yet should serve the needs of price-conscious young parents.

The first step in producing such a rocker mechanism requires the elimination of the conventional expensive system of tracks in which the baby carriage is to rest. I solve this problem by providing my rocking device with a universal hook from which the operating mechanism hangs pendent. Thus, the entire device may be hung from the side or end of a crib, carriage, or cradle and secured thereto. Thereafter, the vibrations from the mechanism are impressed directly upon the carriage or crib. The second step requires the elimination of all gear trains, transmissions, rack and pinions, and cams. These elements are expensive and are not required. I solve this problem by mounting an unbalanced wheel on a vertical or horizontal axle which is journaled in a frame. The wheel carries a peripheral groove with which I engage an elastic belt. An electric motor is then mounted adjacent the wheel and the belt is looped in direct operative engagement with the rotor of the motor. As the motor oper ates, the wheel turns and sets up a vibration due to the unbalanced construction thereof. These vibrations become uniform at a rate calculated to quiet the infant and induce sleep. With a baby carriage, no track is required since the carriage to the vibrations. With a crib, I provide an brakes can be set and the natural springiness of the carriage suspension system is responsive optional concave disk to support certain of the castered legs, if desired. Usually, two disks are placed under two legs of the crib, when the supporting surface is a rug, so the entire crib will pivot and ride with the vibrations. With or without these supports, my rocking device is functionally correct yetsimple and inexpensive to construct.

Accordingly, another object of my invention is to provide a rocking device which is inexpensive to manufacture so as to be available, pricewise, to a majority of young parents and which is lightweight and portable whereby a wide variety of articles, such as cribs, cradles, and carriages, may be rocked as desired.

A further object of my invention is to provide a concave faced support which will coact with my crib rocker mechanism to pivot the crib about one end as the mechanism vibrates.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a rocking device having a rotating axle with a pendent pin for engaging and actuating a music box or other sound-producing mechanism calculated to lull the infant to sleep.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my rocking device with the cover removed therefrom to show the motor and the unbalanced wheel carrying the adjustable eccentric mass for inducing vibration;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, showing the abutment pin which rotates with my axle assembly to engage, selectively, a sound-producing attachment calculated to induce drowsiness;

Fig. Bis an end view, at right angles to Fig. 2, showing the universal mounting hook and the relationship thereof to other mechanism of my rocking device, parts of the casing being shown broken away to disclose details of construction;

Fig. 4 is a side view showing my rocking device in operative engagement with one end or" the side board of a crib; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view, partially broken away, showing a concave-faced cup support which accommodates limited lateral movement of the ball-type casters upon which the crib of Fig. 4 may, optionally, be mounted.

The rocking device of my invention is adapted for use with a wide variety of articles, such as cribs, cradles, and carriages. To this end, I secure a universal mounting hook 2 to a walled frame I in any conventional manner as, for example, by means of metal screws 3. Within the enclosure defined by the walled frame I, I mount an electric motor 4 by means of screws 5 engaging a cross frame member 6. Within the scope of my invention, the electric motor 4 may be a spring-type motor or other similar device. However, I have determined that an inexpensive electric motor is the preferred embodiment.

Current is supplied to the electric motor 4. through an electric cord 7 which is in operative engagement with a timer 8 so a parent may set my rocking device to operate for a predetermined time interval after which the'timer'o will switch the mechanism on". Also mounted; within the walled frame 5, I provide a vertical axle assembly generally indicated at 9. This assembly includes a vertical axle iii, a journal member ll therefor, and a rotatably mounted, unbalanced wheel :2. The wheel l2 carries a shaped peripheral groove it with which an elastic belt M is in operative engagement. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the elastic belt id? is also in operative engagement with the rotor shaft I5 of the electric motor i. Thus, the wheel l2 will rotate as the rotor shaft it rotates, yet no expensive rack and pinion, transmission, or cam mechanisms, are required.

That mechanism which causes the wheel is to be unbalanced includes a mass it which is mounted eccentric with respect to the vertical axle It by means of a wing nut and bolt II secured to one of the spokes of the wheel. Th position of the mass it with respect to the axle It is made adjustably by the off-center location of the wing nut and bolt if so the amplitude of the vibrations of the rotating wheel I2 may be varied. In practice, I find that an inexpensive electric motor which will rotate at 1860 R. P. M. is best suited to the needs of my rocking device. The circumference of the wheel i2 is correlated to the revolutions per minute of this motor to give a 30 to 1 speed reduction so the wheel [2 will rotate at approximately 60 R. P. M. after the motor has gained full speed. In the neighborhood of 60 R. P. M. appears to be the ideal vibration velocity to induce sleep. Furthermore, it will be noted that I have mounted the unbalanced wheel ii! for rotation in a horizontal plane about a vertical axle it. This construction is preferred to a vertical rotational plane about a horizontal axle since the latter requires a high starting torque electric motor to raise the mass from lower dead center to upper dead center. High torque motors are more expensive and, it will be remembered, one object of my invention is to. reduce the price of a rocking device to that range available to the average young parent.

In the lower half of Fig. 2, I have shown an engagement pin iii carried for rotation by the journal member H. By moving the push button is, the pin is may, selectivel be engaged with the rotatable shaft 26 of the music box 2 i. Thus, when desired, the push button It may be depressed to engage the shaft 28 with the pin it and a sound calculated to induce drowsiness will accompany the rocking vibration of the crib or cradle.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, I have therein shown my invention in operative engagement with a crib 22. One problem encountered while attempting to rock the crib with my device involves the manner by which the crib is supported.

- baby-containing instruments.

For example, if the crib is supported on ball-type casters 23 which rest on a rug or other friction surface, the vibrations transmitted to the crib are dampened somewhat. Still further, if the crib is placed on a smooth surface as, for example, linoleum, the vibration induced therein by my invention may tend to walk the crib along the floor or to bump the same against a wall or other object. To obviate these two results, I have devised a cup-shaped support 24 having a concave face 25 for coaction with my rocking device. When the crib 22 rests on a rug, the cup-shaped supports 24 are placed under those two legs of the crib which support the end upon which the rocking device is carried. These supports then allow the crib to pivot about the other or anchored end and the sides of the cup supports 26 accommodate limited lateral movement. Thus, the crib will not bang against the wall or against a piece of furniture, yet it will pivot and sway the optimum amount to induce sleep.

In the operation of my invention, the universal mounting hook 2 is hung on the side or end of a crib, carriage, or cradle and secured tightl thereto by any conventional means. Optionally, the mounting hook 2 may define a plurality of bend diameters to adapt the same to a corresponding plurality of crib side walls, carriage side walls, and cradle structure so that the device is supported in tight lateral abutment with the bed in which a childrests. At any rate, after the device is hung from a crib or the like, the electric cord l is either plugged into a wall socket or int an electric timer 8 and the electric-motor t begins to rotate. This rotation turns the rotor shaft 15 which engages the elastic belt l i to rotate the wheel l2. Since the eccentric mass it unbalances the wheel 12, the rotation thereof induces vibration in the frame of the rocking device and into the baby-supporting instrument to which it. is secured. If desired, the push button l's'may be depressed to engage the rotatable shaft 21s with the pin [8 and a soft tune or series of low notes will help lull the infant to sleep. Furthermore, if desired, the con-- cave-faced supports 24% or some comparable wire, spring, or glass support maybe used to support the caster legs of a crib when my invention is utilized in conjunction therewith. Such a comparable support, optionally, may grip and hold two crib legs in a spring or wire frame to suspend that end of the crib above the supporting surface in a flexible, pivotal, manner. My use of the terms pivotally' supported and pivoted is deemed commensurate with such supports.

Young parents have. found my rocking device to be of special utility since the simple construction thereof allows the mechanism to be sold at a low price and to be repaired by any mechanically inclined parent. Furthermore, if an infant awakens during the night and begins to cry, theparents need only reach over and switch on the electric timer 8 to rock the infant for a 5- or l0- minute period, after which, the mechanism will automatically shut itself off. Since the positionof the; eccentric mass is is adjustable, any-desired amplitude of vibrations may be induced to. correlate the action of my rocking device vviththe baby-securing instrument with which it is used. The simple elastic belt engagement, directly with the rotor of the electric motor 4, further insures a low selling price since expensive transmissions, etc are eliminated. Furthermore, the universal mounting hook 2 allows my invention to be employed in conjunction with a wide variety of Thus, I have served the objects of my invention by providing a rocking device which is inexpensive to manufacture and which is lightweight and portable yet functionally correct.

I claim:

1. A device for rocking a legged crib or the like wherein the legs of one end are supported upon movable mounts, and thus are unstably mounted to permit limited lateral movement thereof, comprising a frame member having a mounting hook extending laterally out from one side thereof, said hook being hung over one side of the crib adjacent the said one end thereof supported upon movable mounts with said frame member bearing against the said one side of the crib, said frame member being supported from said hook in a position laterally out from and beyond the said one side of the crib and outside the bounds of the crib proper, an unbalanced wheel mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane on said frame member to impart lateral vibration thereto, and means for rotating said wheel at a uniform speed calculated to induce somnolence upon an occupant of said crib or the like, said means for rotating including an electric motor having a rotor thereof in direct operative engagement with a belt mounted to engage said wheel.

2. In combination, a crib or the like having one end mounted upon pivotal supports permitting limited lateral movement with respect to the other end, a frame member having a mounting hook extending laterally out from one side thereof, said hook being hung over one side of said crib adjacent the pivotally supported end thereof with said frame member bearing against the said one side of the crib, said frame member being supported from said hook in a position laterally out from and beyond the said one side of the crib and outside the bounds of the crib proper, a vertical axle assembly carried by said frame member and including a wheel mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane about the axle as a center, and a Weighted mass means mounted upon said wheel at a point intermediate said axle and the periphery of the wheel to induce vibrations in said frame and said crib when the wheel is rotated, said mass being adjustably mounted upon said wheel selectively to vary the amplitude of the vibrations.

3. In combination, a crib or the like having one end mounted upon pivotal supports permitting limited lateral movement, a frame member having a mounting hook extending laterally out from one side thereof, said hook being hung over one side of said crib adjacent the pivotally supported end thereof, with said frame member bearing against the said one side of the crib, said frame member being supported from said hook in aposition laterally out from and beyond the said one side of the crib and outside the bounds of the crib proper and being otherwise unattached to the crib, a vertical axle assembly carried by said frame member and including a wheel mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane, said wheel adjustably carrying an eccentric mass means for inducing lateral vibrations in said frame and crib when the wheel is rotated, and an electric motor having the rotor thereof operatively engaging a belt which is reeved about said wheel to rotate the latter.

JASON DWIGHT LEE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 55,227 Bedle June 5, 1866 192,406 Barlow June 26, 1877 746,166 Robinson Dec. 8, 1903 779,179 Perotti Jan. 3, 1905 1,450,635 Lacki Apr. 3, 1923 2,529,721 Baruch Nov. 14, 1950 

